Nowadays, mini fountains, as well as decorative waterfalls, are gaining more and more popularity. These decorative elements allow you to relax, and even in the summer they moisturize the air, creating an optimal microclimate. Looking at the pouring water, it is convenient to concentrate, you can even meditate, to whom it is interesting. The article will discuss a way to create a simple waterfall, and the pump is also manufactured do it yourself. Homemade easy to assemble and requires a minimum amount of materials that are easy to get.
Materials and tools for homemade:
- a small motor (can be found in the camera or phone);
- plastic gear (found in toys, watches, and so on);
- a piece of plastic a couple of millimeters thick;
- bottle cap;
- cap for deodorant;
- foil;
- ordinary ballpoint pen;
- LEDs;
- resistor;
- wires;
- shells;
- battery from a mobile;
- a small plastic box.
From the tools you will need:
- drill;
- scissors;
- pliers;
- a gun with hot glue;
- soldering iron;
- Super glue;
- a hacksaw.
The process of making the fountain:
Step one. Fountain device
For the fountain to work, you need a pump, here it is made with your own hands. Its principle of operation is shown in the diagram.
The number 1 indicates the hole for the fluid inlet.
Under number 2 is the pump wheel.
3 is the pump body.
Well, the 4th pipe for the water outlet is indicated.
Step Two We prepare the motor and make the impeller
The motor should be small, because the mini-fountain in size will not be much more than a pack of cigarettes. The author uses for this purpose the engine from the camera. As an option, a vibration motor from a mobile phone is also perfect for these purposes.
Next, you need to make the impeller, it is made of a conventional plastic gear. These are found in toys, watches and other mechanisms. However, you can use other materials, the main thing is that the workpiece is suitable in shape and size. The gear needs to be turned in a circle to the size of the pump casing.
To make the blades for the wheel, you will need rectangular pieces of plastic.In total there will be 4 pieces. Pieces must be glued to the gear.
Step Three Pump housing
The author makes the pump case out of a deodorant cap. It is necessary to cut off all unnecessary parts from it, and then drill holes, as indicated in the photo. From above, you need to drill a small hole so that the engine axis goes out through it. Through a large hole, water will come out.
Step Four The final stage of the pump assembly
To create an output tube, you will need a ballpoint pen. You need to cut off everything superfluous from it, and then the handle simply sticks to the body.
As for the motor, it is also glued with hot glue. The motor must be glued carefully so as not to pour it through the cooling holes and not to glue the axle. The impeller should be located exactly in the case; it should not hurt anything.
You also need to make a cover for the pump. The lid is made of a bottle cap, you need to make a hole in it, as seen in the photo. Through this hole, water will enter the pump. The lid is glued to the body with hot glue.
That's all, the miniature pump is ready. According to the author, she is able to form a water column with a height of 20 cm, and all this from a 3.7V power source (battery from a mobile). This power is quite enough to create a miniature fountain or waterfall.
Step Five How to make a slide for the fountain. Final build phase
A stone stylization was taken as the main idea. Here you need to start up all your imagination. Externally, the fountain can be made as you like, at your discretion. You can ensure that no one can distinguish it from the store. To create “stones”, the author applied crumpled foil glued with hot glue. The photo shows the preliminary painting.
To make a decorative source of water, you need a shell of a suitable size and shape. In it, under the tube, you need to make a hole. Well, then the whole structure is assembled as in the diagram.
A small plastic box is used as a reservoir. It can be glued with “stones” made of foil.
Now everything can be assembled, hot glue is used for this. Use a suitable resistor to adjust the mono head power. That's all, the fountain is ready. Now you can admire yourself and show off to your friends.